Composer Steve Reich is focus of a musical weekend on campus

Maria Dizzia, left, a December 1997 theater arts graduate, and composer Steve Reich '57 received Cornell awards for distinction in the arts at a ceremony at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art Feb. 13. Charles Harrington/University Photography

By Darryl Geddes

Composer Steve Reich played the role of honoree, scholar, teacher and audience member this past weekend, as the Cornell community applauded the accomplishments of this celebrated alumnus.

Reich was honored in a Friday night ceremony at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, where he was presented with the Cornell Alumni Award for Distinction in the Arts. He is the first recipient of the award, which was established last year by the Cornell Council's Cultural Endeavors Committee and the Cornell Council for the Arts.

President Emeritus Dale Corson, who presented the award to Reich, noted the importance and obligation of a university to produce leaders in the arts field, people who are going to set the standard. "This award is positive evidence of an alumni producing that standard, which is so vital to our national life," Corson said.

Maria Dizzia, who earned a bachelor's degree in theater this past December, received the Student Art Award, which included a $1,000 stipend. The award honors outstanding student accomplishment in the arts.

Earlier in the day, Reich spoke to an audience of about 75 at a "composer's forum" in which he played recordings of his works and answered audience questions about many facets of composing.

On Saturday, Reich lectured about his work at a master class and was in the audience that evening for a performance of his works by the Cornell Contemporary Chamber Players. A crowd packing Barnes Hall audito rium listened to Music for Pieces of Wood, Nagoya Marimbas and Six Marimbas.

Reich graduated from Cornell in 1957 and then attended the Juilliard School. A winner of numerous awards, including a Grammy, Reich found success incorporating non-Western musical notions, such as repetitive phrasing and cyclical loops, into his compositions.

The Cornell Alumni Award for Distinction in the Arts and the Student Art Award will be awarded annually. Nominations for the Student Art Award for 1998 are being accepted. For more information, contact Thomas Scharff at 254-2719.